PVC's

[Lauren]

I have written to this forum before concerning my MVP.  However, I have occurances of skipped beats every now and then, but very rarely ( there are never more than two a month).  I have had an EKG and ECHO tests.  I never had a "PVC" while I had either of these tests.  Does that mean that my PVC's (I suppose that is what they are) are benign or do you actually need to have one while having a test to determine what they are?  
My Dr. has told me my "PVC's" are a symptom of my MVPS, but they seem to scary to be nothing!!!!

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Strictly speaking, if you do not have your skipped beats while having your EKG it is not possible to be 100% sure what the skipped beats are due to. However, your doctor is probably making an educated guess as to what you are having.

[Lauren]

SORRY, I didn't want to take up another space, but I have one more question.  My diagnosis of MVP came about after episodes of so-called panic attacks.  I have never actually been to a doc. when I was having an attack, so 1)does that mean I could have some other type of problem?  2)What type of arrythmia could resemble a panic attack and are there any ways to distinguish?
3)I can't tell if I bring on the panic (by constantly worrying about it) or if there is really something wrong with me- is there anyway to tell the differenc between a mental illness and a physical illness?   THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

The symptoms of panic attack and arrhythmia can be very similar. Wearing a continuous EKG monitor while you have symptoms would be a way to distinguish the two.

[Lauren]

what kind of arrythmia could mimic panic attack symptoms and could it be deadly?  Do you strongly recommend that I wear a holter monitor?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Usually it is a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) that can mimic a panic attack. SVT is unlikely to be fatal in an otherwise healthy young person. The need for a Holter monitor really depends on how likely your doctor thinks it is that you have an arrhythmia.